Ghana's National Identification Authority Suspends Date of Birth Changes on Ghana Card

The National Identification Authority (NIA) of Ghana has announced a temporary suspension of all date of birth changes on the Ghana Card, effective Monday, November 9, 2026. This decision comes after a review of the Authority's date of birth update process revealed the need for stronger safeguards. The suspension will remain in force until further notice.

According to the NIA, the suspension is part of efforts to engage key institutions, including the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and the Births and Deaths Registry, to strengthen guidelines for processing date of birth change requests. These consultations aim to ensure a transparent, credible, and standardized system for handling such requests.

During the suspension period, no new applications for date of birth changes will be accepted or processed at any NIA office nationwide. Additionally, requests already being processed will not be approved. The Authority has apologized for any inconvenience caused and appealed to the public for understanding and cooperation.

The NIA has assured the public that it will notify them once the consultations are completed and the revised guidelines are ready. The Authority is committed to ensuring the integrity of the Ghana Card and has taken steps to prevent fraudulent activities.

This move is part of a broader effort to ensure the credibility of Ghana's identification system. Recently, the Judicial Service of Ghana also announced the suspension of industrial action by the Judicial Service Staff Association of Ghana (JUSAG) and the Senior Staff Association of the Judicial Service of Ghana (SSAJUG), allowing courts to resume normal sittings.

In a separate development, Edward Agyekum Kufuor has declared his intention to contest for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Parliamentary Candidacy for the Atwima Nwabiagya North Constituency. Kufuor, whose father is former President John Agyekum Kufuor, has pledged to champion development initiatives in the constituency, including motorable feeder roads, value addition for cocoa and food crops, and quality schools and health facilities.

The NIA's suspension of date of birth changes on the Ghana Card is a significant move to ensure the accuracy and integrity of Ghana's identification system. The Authority's engagement with key institutions and commitment to transparency and credibility are crucial steps towards achieving this goal. The public will be informed once the revised guidelines are ready, and the Authority has assured that it will work to minimize inconvenience to the public.

Key points

• The National Identification Authority has suspended date of birth changes on the Ghana Card until further notice to strengthen safeguards and ensure a transparent system.